The Minor in Women’s Studies is an interdisciplinary course of study administrated by the Department of Sociology and Global Center for Women & Justice. The minor is designed to provide students with a theoretical and practical overview of the study of women and women’s issues in society, and will include course work in the social sciences, religion, literature, history, and communications.

The minor requires a total of 21 units: six units in women’s studies and 15 elective units. In completing the requirements for the minor, a minimum of 12 units must be distinct and different from the units used to complete the requirements of a major. Any units above this minimum requirement which can be used to satisfy both the requirements for the minor and for the major may be double counted. General education courses, however, may be used to meet minor requirements, not to exceed nine units.

Click here for a Women’s Studies Minor Application. Please return to the Global Center for Women and Justice (Heath 218).

Women’s Studies Course Descriptions:

WMST 110 • Introduction to Women’s Studies (2 units)
An introductory course to the study of women and contemporary gender issues in society. This course will focus on such issues as the necessity for the study of women, gender as a cultural construct, theological interpretations of the gender, and gender as perceived in history and literature. This course is part of the core requirement for a minor in Women’s Studies.

WMST 210 • Conference in Women’s Studies (1 unit)
Students are required to attend one conference sponsored by the Global Center for Women and Justice. A faculty member in the discipline covered by the conference theme will determine course work. May be repeated for credit.
WMST 370 •Topics in Women’s Studies (1-3 units)
Prerequisite: WMST 110. This course concentrates on a particular issue relevant to Women’s Studies students such as gender theory, gender pedagogy, women’s health, women and human trafficking, women in business, or motherhood. May be repeated for credit.
Women Launching Careers

WMST 345 • Human Trafficking (3 units)
This course addresses trafficking based on the US State Department model of Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution. Explores how trafficking happens, why it happens, and what can be done about it. For students interested in combatting human trafficking, this course offers a better understanding of professional career choices, as well as volunteer opportunities. The course includes guest speakers with in-depth knowledge and experience in the field from law enforcement and victim services. Counts as an elective towards Women’s Studies Minor.

WMST 410 • Research in Women’s Studies (3 units)
Prerequisite: WMST 110 & WMST 210. This course is designed to assist the student in integrating the multi-faceted aspects of women’s issues into a final paper. Working in cooperation with the professor, the student will design and methodically research and write a major paper that reflects an advanced understanding of women in the context of the chosen subject area. Papers from this class will be presented in a public colloquium toward the end of the semester and submitted for publication.

WMST 450 • GCWJ Internship (1-3 units)
Prerequisite: Must be on the WMST Minor Track. Students select an internship from the repertoire of projects the Global Center for Women and Justice is currently working on. Students may alternatively choose an externship with one of GCWJ’s partner organizations. Students earn one course of credit for every 30 hours of interning. Course credit also requires short readings and reflection papers. May be repeated once.
* This information is provided for ease of use, however it is not the official record. See the academic catalog for official course descriptions and requirements.